After Senior Sister Lei left, Nian Jiaojiao and the others gathered around the table, staring blankly at the cultivation methods spread across it.
“So… are you going to choose now?”
Nian Jiaojiao spoke up.
The husbands nodded and began picking up the methods, examining them carefully.
After a while, Yu Chuan was the first to speak:
“The methods for the zither path here are not as profound as the ones you gave me last time. The old methods are sufficient for me.”
At this point, Xuan Yi also agreed:
“That’s right. There are no sword path methods here. There is one martial path method, but the old ones are enough for me as well.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
“Alright, as they say, one cannot chew too much. I agree with your thoughts.”
When Nian Jiaojiao looked at Nan Qing, she noticed he had been holding onto one method and not looking at any others.
She asked curiously:
“Nan Qing, what are you looking at?”
Nan Qing closed the book and looked up:
“I’ve decided. It’s this one.”
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao could also clearly see the two large characters on the book cover.
Go path.
Nian Jiaojiao was a bit surprised.
It was her first time hearing of a method called the go path. One could imagine how obscure this method was.
She also couldn’t imagine what kind of object manipulation the go path cultivation would entail.
So, she said to Nan Qing:
“Let me take a look for you.”
Taking the booklet, Nian Jiaojiao quickly flipped through it.
The more she read, the deeper her frown became.
She had initially thought mathematics and physics were difficult enough, but she hadn’t expected the go path to be such a mystery.
She widened her eyes and confirmed with Nan Qing:
“Are you sure you want to cultivate this?”
Nan Qing’s expression was calm as he nodded indifferently.
“But…”
Nian Jiaojiao wanted to say more but stopped herself.
Nan Qing seemed to sense her concern and chuckled lightly:
“Don’t worry. Look, what’s the difference between this booklet and the other books?”
Nian Jiaojiao looked down.
Xingyun immediately chimed in:
“This book is the thickest!”
Thick?
What good was thickness?
Just as she was about to offer a different answer, Nan Qing affirmed:
“That’s right, it’s thick. You’ve all been looking for a while, and you must have realized that most of the methods being revealed are quite superficial.
However, this go path method is different. The other books only involve two realms, while the go path has five realms.”
More importantly, this go path suited his disposition perfectly.
Nan Qing gently rubbed the book cover with his thumb.
Nian Jiaojiao felt a sense of admiration upon hearing this.
With Nan Qing’s intelligence, what did she have to worry about for him?
Meanwhile, Tongzi Yao had also found a method that suited his preferences.
The music path.
Nian Jiaojiao was confused.
Didn’t the zither fall under the category of music?
He had tried for so long before but had never managed to enter the path.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Tongzi Yao said:
“This method cultivates music, not specifically the zither. Cultivating the zither is difficult due to its specialization. Moreover, I am better at playing the flute.”
Finally, everyone looked at Xingyun.
Because Xingyun was skilled at painting, everyone assumed he would take the painting book, but to their surprise, he hadn't taken anything.
“Xingyun, did you not find anything you liked?” Nian Jiaojiao asked.
Xingyun’s cheeks were flushed, and he lowered his head, remaining silent.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at Xuan Yi and Nan Qing, hoping for an answer from them.
However, they both shook their heads.
“Xingyun?” Nian Jiaojiao called out again.
At this, Xingyun mumbled shyly:
“I can’t read…”
After saying this, a flicker of annoyance crossed Xingyun’s eyes. If only he had learned a few characters earlier.
Because his elder brother had studied the sword path, he had learned quite a few characters by following his second brother.
Now, he was the only illiterate person in the room…
Nian Jiaojiao suddenly understood.
So that was why he couldn’t find the painting path method.
Seeing Xingyun with his round head hanging low, like a wronged kitten, she couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle his head vigorously.
He was truly an adorable creature…
“It’s okay, I’ll teach you these characters.”
Upon hearing Nian Jiaojiao’s words, Xingyun immediately perked up.
“Hooray!”
…
Year 1157 of the Great Yue Dynasty.
In the history of the Great Yue, this was an important turning point, and the era when all humanity officially entered the path of cultivation, known as [Mass Cultivation].
Nian Jiaojiao passed the first provincial examination after the reforms and became the Jieyuan of Qingzhou.
During this time, Yu Chuan and Xuan Yi had entered the Manifestation Realm, while the other three husbands had entered the Transcendence Realm.
It is worth mentioning that Xingyun’s leg had been completely healed by Yu Chuan’s zither music.
Now, the group began packing their luggage, preparing to head to the royal city.
Previously, only those who achieved Jinshi and above could enter the Imperial Academy.
Following the announcement of the cultivation methods, the Great Yue court issued a series of policies, allowing those ranked among the top scholars in the examinations to register for the Imperial Academy.
Nian Jiaojiao’s decision to go to the royal city’s Imperial Academy, despite having already joined the Miscellaneous Studies faction in Qingzhou, was primarily to compete for cultivation resources.
Nian Jiaojiao drove the carriage over, only to see her five husbands piled high with heavy luggage.
However, she didn’t step forward to help.
It wasn’t for any other reason than that they looked so at ease and in control that they didn’t need her assistance at all.
Although their bodies hadn't developed the large, muscular physiques like Xuan Yi’s, they were certainly no longer the fragile, delicate figures they used to be.
Seeing Xingyun with luggage piled two heads above him, she had the impression of a "steel Barbie."
Well, the little puppy had turned into a young wolfhound.
“Junior Sister Nian, I’ve come to see you off.”
Lei Juan arrived at the house with a junior sister in male attire.
“Senior Sister Lei, I don’t know when we’ll meet again after this parting.”
A hint of reluctance flashed in Nian Jiaojiao’s eyes.
Lei Juan smiled and said:
“I will also be going to the royal city next year. We’ll meet then. The royal city is now a gathering place for cultivators.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded, then respectfully bowed to Lei Juan again and said:
“Senior Sister Lei, thank you for your help during this time. Also, about what I asked you before…”
Lei Juan smiled and replied:
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister Nian. Your parents have settled in Qingzhou, near the Qiu family. The Qiu family will send people to look after them, and I haven’t mentioned your affairs.”
“That’s good. Senior Sister Lei, I will trouble you and Senior Sister to keep an eye on our elders. In the Imperial Academy, if you need anything, Jiaojiao will definitely get it for both of you seniors.”
“Alright, I’ve been waiting for you to say that! Haha, just kidding, just kidding. Jiaojiao, don’t push yourself. We won’t force it.”
Lei Juan patted Nian Jiaojiao’s shoulder.
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
However, in her heart, she was determined to repay this kindness.
…
The carriage emerged from a deserted alley and entered Qingzhou’s main road.
Surrounded by the clamor of people, the five men felt as if they had traversed different eras and seemed somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Although the court had announced the impending danger to the public, after the initial panic, people seemed to have forgotten their fears over time.
However, Nian Jiaojiao and her five husbands could clearly sense a different atmosphere.
“Oh my, have you heard? The aunt of the daughter of the third aunt from next door has entered the martial path!”